2008 Acura TL or TL-S? Updated!

[Danman]

Alright, so I got bit buy the car bug and I'm eying the 2008 Acura TL. I've test drove a regular Acura TL with Nav and love it. I test drove a used Type S today, and it was good, but I think there was problems with it.

Right now, there's some smoking deals on the TLs. I can get a TL with Nav for around 30k plus TTL. I got an offer for a Type-S for 33.5k plus TTL.

Here's the issue. There's no manual Type-S's here in North Florida. The closest brand new ones seem to be in Central Florida. Who has the the six speed manual or can speak to it?

Suggestions?

Edit: This is what I picked up last night.

Text

Very happy. 🙂

 

[helpme]

If it's anything like the tsx MT, GET THE MT (very quicky and snicky).

(I have a TSX MT)

 

[Slew Foot]

The TL-S is FAR better then the Tl-Nav. I just got one a month ago, its sooooo awesome. Very peppy and handles like a dream. I got mine for 32K +TTL too (Sacramento CA), but the 2008 tl-s are getting hard to find.

The voice nav/bluetooth system is awesome, the inside is comfy and the carbon fiber sport trim looks neat. Ive gotten a whole lot of ooohs and ahhs from my friends on the car.

Mine is an auto though, the paddle shifters are fun enough for me.


Here's my old thread

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...eyword1=second+new+car

 

[Danman]

Originally posted by: Slew Foot
The TL-S is FAR better then the Tl-Nav. I just got one a month ago, its sooooo awesome. Very peppy and handles like a dream. I got mine for 32K +TTL too (Sacramento CA), but the 2008 tl-s are getting hard to find.

The voice nav/bluetooth system is awesome, the inside is comfy and the carbon fiber sport trim looks neat. Ive gotten a whole lot of ooohs and ahhs from my friends on the car.

Mine is an auto though, the paddle shifters are fun enough for me.


Here's my old thread

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...eyword1=second+new+car

I found a crapload of Type-S with Auto and Manual down in Central Florida, I just gotta negotiate a deal. Did you drive a regular TL and what could you tell was the difference?

 

[vshah]

i've driven the regular & the manual. manual is much more engaging, great shifter action

 

[Chunkee]

wouldnt it be better to get G35?

 

[JJ650]

Originally posted by: Chunkee
wouldnt it be better to get G35?

Depends on what you need. If you need some room, forget the G35.
The main reason why I didn't go with it one is the G35 rear seat space. It sucks. Plain and simple. I'm 6'2 and the wife is 5'10. We are a taller than average couple. If we have any friends with us, they would have been uncomfortable sitting in the back. The TL does have more room in mind for back seat passengers.
I did however like the power. The torque is a fair bit higher than the TL-S, but the TL gets nods for better gas mileage.

For the price I got my TL-S, it was hard to beat. A comparably equipped G35 at the time was a cool 2.5k more and there wasn't much room for negotiation on the price.

 

[Slew Foot]

Originally posted by: Danman

Originally posted by: Slew Foot
The TL-S is FAR better then the Tl-Nav. I just got one a month ago, its sooooo awesome. Very peppy and handles like a dream. I got mine for 32K +TTL too (Sacramento CA), but the 2008 tl-s are getting hard to find.

The voice nav/bluetooth system is awesome, the inside is comfy and the carbon fiber sport trim looks neat. Ive gotten a whole lot of ooohs and ahhs from my friends on the car.

Mine is an auto though, the paddle shifters are fun enough for me.


Here's my old thread

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...eyword1=second+new+car

I found a crapload of Type-S with Auto and Manual down in Central Florida, I just gotta negotiate a deal. Did you drive a regular TL and what could you tell was the difference?

The S feels like it has a lot more torque off the line, it feels like it picks up much faster than the base. Passing seems much easier as well while the suspension is mildly tighter. The S has larger seat bolsters which help on cornering, and the two tone leather looks nicer. The wheels and spoiler complete the sporty look.

Which color scheme are you looking at?

 

[Danman]

Originally posted by: Slew Foot

Originally posted by: Danman

Originally posted by: Slew Foot
The TL-S is FAR better then the Tl-Nav. I just got one a month ago, its sooooo awesome. Very peppy and handles like a dream. I got mine for 32K +TTL too (Sacramento CA), but the 2008 tl-s are getting hard to find.

The voice nav/bluetooth system is awesome, the inside is comfy and the carbon fiber sport trim looks neat. Ive gotten a whole lot of ooohs and ahhs from my friends on the car.

Mine is an auto though, the paddle shifters are fun enough for me.


Here's my old thread

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...eyword1=second+new+car

I found a crapload of Type-S with Auto and Manual down in Central Florida, I just gotta negotiate a deal. Did you drive a regular TL and what could you tell was the difference?

The S feels like it has a lot more torque off the line, it feels like it picks up much faster than the base. Passing seems much easier as well while the suspension is mildly tighter. The S has larger seat bolsters which help on cornering, and the two tone leather looks nicer. The wheels and spoiler complete the sporty look.

Which color scheme are you looking at?

I like this Carbon Bronze color, but not sure on that though. I want the Ebony/Black interior though.

 

[JJ650]

Originally posted by: Danman

Originally posted by: Slew Foot

Originally posted by: Danman

Originally posted by: Slew Foot
The TL-S is FAR better then the Tl-Nav. I just got one a month ago, its sooooo awesome. Very peppy and handles like a dream. I got mine for 32K +TTL too (Sacramento CA), but the 2008 tl-s are getting hard to find.

The voice nav/bluetooth system is awesome, the inside is comfy and the carbon fiber sport trim looks neat. Ive gotten a whole lot of ooohs and ahhs from my friends on the car.

Mine is an auto though, the paddle shifters are fun enough for me.


Here's my old thread

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...eyword1=second+new+car

I found a crapload of Type-S with Auto and Manual down in Central Florida, I just gotta negotiate a deal. Did you drive a regular TL and what could you tell was the difference?

The S feels like it has a lot more torque off the line, it feels like it picks up much faster than the base. Passing seems much easier as well while the suspension is mildly tighter. The S has larger seat bolsters which help on cornering, and the two tone leather looks nicer. The wheels and spoiler complete the sporty look.

Which color scheme are you looking at?

I like this Carbon Bronze color, but not sure on that though. I want the Ebony/Black interior though.

We got the black on black TL-S. It's really not too bad and it didn't really get sweltering hot on the inside this summer.
I had originally wanted a white one with the grey leather, but those rims just looked out of place on the white schemer.

 

[Danman]

Originally posted by: JJ650

Originally posted by: Danman

Originally posted by: Slew Foot

Originally posted by: Danman

Originally posted by: Slew Foot
The TL-S is FAR better then the Tl-Nav. I just got one a month ago, its sooooo awesome. Very peppy and handles like a dream. I got mine for 32K +TTL too (Sacramento CA), but the 2008 tl-s are getting hard to find.

The voice nav/bluetooth system is awesome, the inside is comfy and the carbon fiber sport trim looks neat. Ive gotten a whole lot of ooohs and ahhs from my friends on the car.

Mine is an auto though, the paddle shifters are fun enough for me.


Here's my old thread

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...eyword1=second+new+car

I found a crapload of Type-S with Auto and Manual down in Central Florida, I just gotta negotiate a deal. Did you drive a regular TL and what could you tell was the difference?

The S feels like it has a lot more torque off the line, it feels like it picks up much faster than the base. Passing seems much easier as well while the suspension is mildly tighter. The S has larger seat bolsters which help on cornering, and the two tone leather looks nicer. The wheels and spoiler complete the sporty look.

Which color scheme are you looking at?

I like this Carbon Bronze color, but not sure on that though. I want the Ebony/Black interior though.

We got the black on black TL-S. It's really not too bad and it didn't really get sweltering hot on the inside this summer.
I had originally wanted a white one with the grey leather, but those rims just looked out of place on the white schemer.

Is yours automatic? I really want to drive the manual to see the difference, but I can't find one damn Type-S Manual in this state.

 

[evident]

i love this car. I shoulda waited a year to buy a new car and gotten it. get the TL-S in black- the rims are so hot . plz post pics when you get it

 

[aleckz]

Saw a metallic gray on gray TL-S this morning, creamed my pants a little. Very sleek looking, too bad the driver was a 50 year old woman.

 

[onza]

TL-S MT is extremely difficult to find. I would recommend a TL-S over the base TL WITH NAVI <-this is key 🙂

I currently drive a 2006 AT w/ navi.

 

[JJ650]

Originally posted by: Danman

Originally posted by: JJ650

Originally posted by: Danman

Originally posted by: Slew Foot

Originally posted by: Danman

Originally posted by: Slew Foot
The TL-S is FAR better then the Tl-Nav. I just got one a month ago, its sooooo awesome. Very peppy and handles like a dream. I got mine for 32K +TTL too (Sacramento CA), but the 2008 tl-s are getting hard to find.

The voice nav/bluetooth system is awesome, the inside is comfy and the carbon fiber sport trim looks neat. Ive gotten a whole lot of ooohs and ahhs from my friends on the car.

Mine is an auto though, the paddle shifters are fun enough for me.


Here's my old thread

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...eyword1=second+new+car

I found a crapload of Type-S with Auto and Manual down in Central Florida, I just gotta negotiate a deal. Did you drive a regular TL and what could you tell was the difference?

The S feels like it has a lot more torque off the line, it feels like it picks up much faster than the base. Passing seems much easier as well while the suspension is mildly tighter. The S has larger seat bolsters which help on cornering, and the two tone leather looks nicer. The wheels and spoiler complete the sporty look.

Which color scheme are you looking at?

I like this Carbon Bronze color, but not sure on that though. I want the Ebony/Black interior though.

We got the black on black TL-S. It's really not too bad and it didn't really get sweltering hot on the inside this summer.
I had originally wanted a white one with the grey leather, but those rims just looked out of place on the white schemer.

Is yours automatic? I really want to drive the manual to see the difference, but I can't find one damn Type-S Manual in this state.

No. We had a heck of a time finding the manual also. The only ones left were autos and the dealer was no longer receiving manuals to sell.
We had our dealer check other dealers in Columbia to Raleigh and not a single one had a manual.
We didn't have much of a choice but to settle on the auto Black/Black. A buddy of mine has an '07 TL-S MT and it's a tad bit quicker. It definitely is nice to drive.

 

[Danman]

Originally posted by: JJ650

Originally posted by: Danman

Originally posted by: JJ650

Originally posted by: Danman

Originally posted by: Slew Foot

Originally posted by: Danman

Originally posted by: Slew Foot
The TL-S is FAR better then the Tl-Nav. I just got one a month ago, its sooooo awesome. Very peppy and handles like a dream. I got mine for 32K +TTL too (Sacramento CA), but the 2008 tl-s are getting hard to find.

The voice nav/bluetooth system is awesome, the inside is comfy and the carbon fiber sport trim looks neat. Ive gotten a whole lot of ooohs and ahhs from my friends on the car.

Mine is an auto though, the paddle shifters are fun enough for me.


Here's my old thread

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...eyword1=second+new+car

I found a crapload of Type-S with Auto and Manual down in Central Florida, I just gotta negotiate a deal. Did you drive a regular TL and what could you tell was the difference?

The S feels like it has a lot more torque off the line, it feels like it picks up much faster than the base. Passing seems much easier as well while the suspension is mildly tighter. The S has larger seat bolsters which help on cornering, and the two tone leather looks nicer. The wheels and spoiler complete the sporty look.

Which color scheme are you looking at?

I like this Carbon Bronze color, but not sure on that though. I want the Ebony/Black interior though.

We got the black on black TL-S. It's really not too bad and it didn't really get sweltering hot on the inside this summer.
I had originally wanted a white one with the grey leather, but those rims just looked out of place on the white schemer.

Is yours automatic? I really want to drive the manual to see the difference, but I can't find one damn Type-S Manual in this state.

No. We had a heck of a time finding the manual also. The only ones left were autos and the dealer was no longer receiving manuals to sell.
We had our dealer check other dealers in Columbia to Raleigh and not a single one had a manual.
We didn't have much of a choice but to settle on the auto Black/Black. A buddy of mine has an '07 TL-S MT and it's a tad bit quicker. It definitely is nice to drive.

I'm to the point where I don't believe there is any MT models left here, which is fine. I wanted it but at the same time I didn't.

I just need to decide on the color, either Carbon Bronze Pearl, Black, or something else.

 

[spidey07]

Get the manual, the auto has no guts compared to the MT.

 

[JJ650]

Originally posted by: spidey07
Get the manual, the auto has no guts compared to the MT.

The problem is a TL-S manual is next to impossible to find (brand new).

 

[evident]

Originally posted by: JJ650

Originally posted by: spidey07
Get the manual, the auto has no guts compared to the MT.

The problem is a TL-S manual is next to impossible to find (brand new).

the auto has paddles or a sport shift thing though i think, so it may suffice depending on your needs

 

[Danman]

So I took the wife out to test drive a Type-S and a regular TL. I think we decided on the regular TL since it's more refined, the suspension on the TL-S is definitely a lot more firmer and tough. Plus I don't think I like the seats in the TL-S as much as the regular TL ones, they are a lot more comfortable IMO.

Who knows, I may be posting pics of my new TL this weekend if I can work out a great deal. 🙂

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: evident

Originally posted by: JJ650

Originally posted by: spidey07
Get the manual, the auto has no guts compared to the MT.

The problem is a TL-S manual is next to impossible to find (brand new).

the auto has paddles or a sport shift thing though i think, so it may suffice depending on your needs

Maybe, but I'd suggest driving them first to compare. I have a 04 manual and the auto is totally gutless compared. It's gotta be the gearing. I felt the same thing with the new ones as well. The auto just didn't "pull" like the manual.

Make sure to turn traction control off when you drive them as that will rob power.

 

[JJ650]

The sport mode on the TL-S is slow to respond sometimes. I occaisionally use it as it's not really that much use. The paddles rotate with the wheel making it akward to shift (up or down) in a turn, depending on how sharp the turn is.
There's always the gear selector leve you can use as well, but still...the manual is more fun. I would have gotten it if we could have found one.

 

[Danman]

Updated! 🙂

 

[BassBomb]

cant tell if its an type s or not

what did you get!

 

[Danman]

Originally posted by: BassBomb
cant tell if its an type s or not

what did you get!

Regular TL with Navi, black on black my friend. The wife didn't like the Type-S and I couldn't justify the extra money for it. I'm extremely happy with this car, I'm still finding out new things on it.